Escaped UK monkey spotted stealing nuts in man's garden and climbing onto sauna

28 January 2024 , 18:02

1009     0

The Japanese macaque escaped its enclosure (Image: No credit)

An escaped monkey has been spotted sat on a fence eating nuts from a bird feeder after going AWOL from a wildlife park.

A major hunt was launched today after the Japanese macaque fled Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig, near Aviemore, and residents were shocked as they saw the monkey casually walking around the village at around 11am this morning. It later spotted swinging around in their gardens.

The animal was seen shaking nuts from a bird feeder and hanging onto fences. Videos of its antics have been shared on social media. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, who run the park, confirmed they are searching for the creature. They plan to secure it with a net.

Staff have already visited several homes in the village, but the monkey had run off before a ranger arrived. If you spot the macaque, don't approach it - contact the charity directly at [email protected].

Did you see the monkey? Contact us at [email protected]

Monkeys missing from zoo after mysterious break in found in abandoned home

The monkey has been spotted sitting on garden fences eating nuts (No credit)

The monkey continues to evade capture (No credit)

Carl Nagle, a local man who saw the monkey, told Sky News: "I got up and went to the patio window and there it was, a juvenile Japanese snow monkey that we've seen many times at the wildlife park, sitting next to my fence eating nuts that have fallen from my bird feeders."

He added: "It wandered back and forth and ran around the garden a little before returning to have a good go at another feeder. Then he made his way onto the roof of an outdoor sauna before disappearing into the trees, just before the keepers appeared to try and catch him."

The Highland Wildlife Park is home to 34 Japanese macaques as part of the European Endangered Species Programme. Macaques, also known as snow monkeys, live in large social groups known as troops.

Darren McGarry, who's in charge of the animals at RZSS, said: "We can confirm one of our Japanese macaques escaped from its enclosure this morning. Our charity has set up a team who are working to secure the monkey safely and as quickly as possible." He also warned: "If members of the public encounter the macaque they should contact [email protected] with more information and do not approach it."

A Police Scotland spokeswoman confirmed that there is no police involvement regarding the escaped monkey. Snow monkeys, are not usually dangerous to humans. However, in 2022 almost 50 people were injured by a gang of snow monkeys who ran riot in the Japanese city of Yamaguchi. Most were scratched or bitten.

It's not the first time a Japanese macaque has escaped from Highland Wildlife Park. According to BBC News, a monkey managed to escape its enclosure in 2008. It was recaptured nearby within an hour.

Ryan Merrifield